One must descend a flight of black slate stairs flanked by walls papered in rock concert programs before discovering...

This is no ordinary urban mecca. This is no sports bar, no yuppie hipster watering hole. This... is the famed Voodoo Lounge.The lights are recessed into the wall, and of a golden hue, dimmed low enough that one can see where one is going, but still be able to consider the atmosphere intimate. People more than a dozen feet away will appear as mere shadows until one is right up on them. The walls are paneled in mahogany wood. The bar, that travels down the left side of the room is teak with a black marble top, polished to a fare-thee-well. Taps are visible just past the lip of the countertop. There's a recess in it so that a bartender can slide drinks to the waiting patrons. Behind the bar, the expected mirror -- this one beveled on the edges. Glasses and more elaborate drinkware hangs upside down from a wooden rack above.

The barstools appear to be leather and wood, but they are reinforced to handle patrons of superhuman size. The floor is carpeted in plush brown carpet, thick enough to sink into, though nothing seems to ever reach it if anything is spilled. There are cozy tables and booths clustered at the front and back of the room. A long, thickly stuffed leather sofa, also in brown, is along the entire front wall and side wall. A hidden moving light casts random shapes and sigils around the room in muted hues -- slowly enough so it's ambience-enhancing rather than disorienting. Potted palms flank the door and stand in the corners. There are hanging plants above the tables, leaves dripping lazily down toward the floor, but not enough to impede anyone there. Carefully hidden speakers pipe music into the room that varies from the contemporary to the exotic. There is no television behind the bar. The back wall has a floor-to-ceiling fountain that trickles away serenely. A few feet in front of the back wall is a modest stage, also set with small tables if there's no one performing.The entire vibe is like someone set a bar in a cozy little alcove in some exotic place far removed from New York City.

Seated in the back of the darkened lounge, Daimon Hellstrom wears a dapper business suit and seems to be entertained by two beautiful women (one on either side) in the semi circular booth. Before him is a table with three drinks and a basket of pretzels. His arms are spread out on the back of the booth so the ladies can get up close and personal. He's telling a story of a time when he, Bane, and Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze of course) were killing vampires that they happened upon at a club one evening. So instead of landing hot chicks, they got blood on their hands. This is why he's here, making up for lost time with the ladies.

Entering the front door, Jericho Drumm enters the establishment, then pauses as he takes it in. Following which, he harrumphs to himself. Not quite old man harrumph, but an exhalation of disappointment. He's decent enough, with shoes, socks, shirt. But over the shirt is his typical red/green/yellow half cape/cloak thing and the voodoo medallion at his neck is worn with pride. Still, he enters in for all intent and purposes and begins moving to the bar. While the bar isn't bustling at this time of day, there are certain denizens lurking about. Jericho ponders the gentleman seated with the two ladies. They're mostly obscure on account of them hiding out in the dark recessess, in a booth no less. Still he orders himself a drink from the bar, not taking a stool. He orders Red Stripe, a wonderful Jamacian 'stout' beer, that tastes something like a mix of beer and whisky. He seems to think it would be refreshing right about now.

Hellstrom notes the new arrival and smiles to himself. He looks to his companions and kisses each in turn then says, "Ladies, if you wouldn't mind, I've business to attend..."

The 'ladies' smile and then just before they vaporize in flashes of smoke, their true nature is revealed (succubi).

Hellstrom rises and gathers his small tumbler of scotch and moves to join Jericho at the bar. Standing two stools down from Jericho, Hellstrom says, "Look what the cat drug in..." in an overtly engaging tone.

Intriguing perhaps, though Jericho has seen things himself and the vaporizing and revealing may have been more peripheral than dead on with his eyes. The only curiousity a this point would be the rest of the lounge and their reactions, but he has his keg shapped bottle to contend with and the arrival of someone engaging. "If by cat," begins Jericho, "You mean the loa, then yes, I have arrived." He turns to regard the man in the business suit then. His thick brow lifts a little, as if he knows there might be some sales pitch coming (or other form of engagement) but he's not going to prod so much as let the other man say his piece simply enough.

The rest of the bar did not notice the shifting (unless they can see magical displays) nor did they notice the sudden disappearance. There are realms that the mundane do not see nor engage within unless engaged - such as the kiss of a succubus draining their soul, then they would notice.

"Come now, Brother Voodoo, surely you recognize the Son of Satan. You've not been in Haiti so long that you've forgotten the dashing exploits of the sexiest Defender that there ever was, aside from Patsy or Valkyrie... then again the Widow was also easy on the eyes. I take that back, the sexiest male on the team." - all of this said with a smile and nefarious eyes of Hellstrom.

"Yes, the Son of Satan is atop my list of close personal references," says Jericho, not so much smiling but there is perhaps a hint of sarcasm there. "I do not recall many exploits of the Defenders let alone the sexiest male Defender. That was Doctor Strange's business, I had too much to attand as Houngan Supreme to join cause much. However, I am sure that should the sexiest male Defender show up, that the Son of Satan will gladly point him out to me so that I shall know my competition amongst the lady denizens of New York."

Hellstrom laughs as he enjoys the humor of Voodoo. "Good points you have there. Anyway.. Daimon Hellstrom, at your service." is stated with an offered hand in greeting.

Taking the hand, Jericho knows at least enough to accept the handshake from Hellstrom, Son of Satan, without any cause for worry. "Let us not indebt ourselves to the others service, we no not what that may entail." Simply to suggest he is not putting himself at any service to any other individual. "This Voodoo Lounge, but a passing American fascination with voodoo culture, simply in name?" He already knows that is obvious and his question is rhetorical, but he may be hinting at the odd curiousity of meeting another mystically inclined individual at the location, especially one of Hellstrom's calibre.

With a nod of acceptance and understanding, Hellstrom agrees to a peaceful encounter without suffering anyone else. In following, he answers, "The establishment belongs to Topaz. Perhaps you've heard of her. Stunning east Indian girl, about yay <hand height indication> tall and amazing assetts. Very spiritual and magical in her own right. She's sort of created a decompression place for the mystics, pagans, and all the wannabes of the villages." (east and greenwich)

There is a nod from Jericho in regards to the name. "Yes, she has assisted Jack Russell a time or two?" He ponders, still not sure who all Daimon knows as well, but Werewolf being the only connetion he can establish with Topaz, they both having helped him. He looks around a moment, then a hint of a grin cracks at his face. "And there are plenty of these wannabes in the villages I am to take it? Or perhaps those truly mystical have a room reserved in which they may exchange knowledge while the wannabes infest the front rooms of this fine establishement?"

"I'm sure there is. Yet Topaz has yet to invite me to her back rooms or such encounters. Which only tells me I need to up my game." Hellstrom states with the slant of /information sharing/ twisted to something more carnal.

"What game is this," asks Jericho, where it might sound like razzing, it seems he is more genuine and not quite catching onto something more carnal. "There is something afoot for which you need her help?"

Hellstrom tilts his head and furrows his brow, "You have been in the jungles too long, mon." the latter word stated as Voodoo would have. He continues, "Though, your intuition may be spot on. Have you ever heard the name Lilith, Mother of Demons? Also known as Kiskillilla."

Pondering that a moment, Jericho confirms, "She is known amongst the loa. In Babylon, she is sometimes known as the first wife of Adam?" He ponders if he is on the same topic then. Not confirming or denying any extended stays in the Jungle or Swamp. "She is legend, no?"

"Far worse, she's back." Hellstrom says casually regarding Lilith's status. "Which is why I suspected you were here to talk with Topaz on the subject since Doctor Strange is in the Quadraverse."

There is a nod of understanding from Jericho. "There is strange ebbs and flows amongst the loa, which has gained my curiousity. Perhaps it is the same cause, the Mother of Demons. That is your forte? Is there some connection with New York City, or have I been led her for other purposes, perhaps to meet with Topaz and yourself, as the need comes that we work together now?"

"She's searching for her children, the Lilin. Strange sent a cryptic message that she was here and needed to be stopped. But he did not divulge the means to stop her. He will return soon and be able to tell us more. In this respect, the Sorceror Supreme may have guided you here to offer assistance."

"His return and our meeting," nods Jericho, "The time should not be passed in waiting. If legends are true and she reunites with her children, we may already be at a loss in stopping her. These Lilin, if she presumes they are here and seeks them out, perhaps we should join this search. Have others begun to gather that we may join in this mystic quest?"

Hellstrom smiles, "Look at you, jumping in with both feet. Truth be told, I've only spoken to Topaz and yourself - which was just a day ago. We've not amassed an army, not started the hunt, nor have we taken steps toward preventing such an incursion. We're not even sure why she's here or her goals. Though I suspect they are infernal in nature."

"Let as assume your suspicions are right, and let use assume as well that Strange knows well what he does in starting such a gathering." It would seem the Houngan Surpreme puts much faith in the Sorcerer Supreme. "He has taken the one element Lilith had to her advantage, Time, and given it to those who would stop her. Perhaps, in part, this is his purpose in the quadraverse, that he may stir the waters such that Lilith does not gain suspicion of those that would move against her. Yes, perhaps this is the purpose of Topaz and her Voodoo Lounge, we may meet and be unknown to Lilith?"

Hellstrom looks about the lounge at all the hidden magical symbols of warding. He smiles and then states, "We are quite secluded here, yes. Look at you, being intuitive once again. Guess that's why you're here - to point out the painfully obvious."

"Yes, painfully obvious," says Jericho, taking a swag of Red Stripe. "Sometimes the obvious is overlooked in our profession, for we consider ourselves beyond normal. Perhaps I am here to ground things with some sense of reality. If that is my purpose. Time will tell if this was contrived by Dr. Strange, but knowing the Mother of Demons gathers her children is cause enough to focus on this task."

"It's almost like listening to my father, task this, focus that, attend to the other. It's almost like he was trying to achieve something within me..." Hellstrom grins as he reflects to his own historical distractions in the mortal realms. "But of course, you're right. We must make our move and find the children before she does - and kill them."

Listening to that, Brother Voodoo has no insight for designs of the children of Satan by Satan himself. Though for the latter, "What happens with the demon spawn is not my concern, but stopping Lilith and whatever she plans in this world. I would recommend we spare one of these demon monsters, if she seeks them out, it could be to our advantage to keep such a Lilin. Maybe this should be our course of action?"

"Research my friend, research." is stated by Hellstrom as he slides away from the bar. "That is without drawing the attention of Lilith herself. Not an easy task, but I'm sure we'll work it out. Now, if you would excuse me; I've ladies to get back to. Good day to you, Voodoo."

"Yes Mr. Hellstrom," nods Jericho as he is excusing himself. "You busy yourself with the ladies, I will seek out the loa and begin research." Then he turns back and drinks the rest of his wonderful beer.